Duckworth exits in first round in Salem

James Duckworth’s nightmare season on the ATP Tour has continued with a first round loss to veteran Russian Mikhail Youzhny at the Winston-Salem Open.

Duckworth, now ranked 199 in the world, after being inside the top 100 at this time last year fell 7-6 (10-8) 1-6 6-3 to the 34-year-old Russian.

A single service break in the final set was all Youzhny needed to close out the match against the Australian, who has won just two matches when he has been in the main draw of an ATP level event in 2016.

Joining Youzhny in the second round are Americans Donald Young and Taylor Fritz, who both won in impressive fashion.

Young downed Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4 6-1 and Fritz recorded a win over fellow American Frances Tiafoe 6-1 6-4.

Other early winners are Czech player Jiri Vesely and British pair Aljaz Bedene and Kyle Edmund.

John Millman is the only other Australian in the draw and he will play Japanese youngster Yoshihito Nishioka later today.

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